Sunday, October 26

Here we go again! We have another privacy activist trying to shut down access to public records, and yes it’s the Guilford County Register of Deeds again. An article, which ran in the Greensboro News & Record and Rhino Times this past week, questions the privacy and security of the files at the ROD. The articles were based on comments made by so-called Internet Expert Linda Criddle at a county commissioner’s meeting.

Criddle comments during the meeting include some “inconsistencies”, which were addressed by Thigpen on his BLOG. As many of you know, I have questioned Jeff in the past regarding access to public records, both in-house and online, and he has addressed these issues promptly. I, myself, am one of 700 actual registered users who followed the verification requirements to access online records. I have used the Guilford County ROD online access on several occasions and find it useful for research and development. Birth & Death certificates are public record and access to these records SHOULD REMAIN PUBLIC. Until the State changes it’s laws, vitals records will remain public. Criddle needs to understand the role of the Register of Deeds and the role it plays based on State Statute.

I’m not going to write a long, exhausting article to reverberate Jeff’s response to Criddle’s opinion on this topic. I will not repeat my feeling on this topic or re-post my article from last year. I will refer you to his direct and positive response on his BLOG, which will explain his actions based on NC General Statute. The BIN totally supports Jeff Thigpen and his office and thanks him for allowing researchers and verified users to access public information.

LEXINGTON-Thelma Beck Farlow, 92 of Lexington passed Thursday, October 23, 2008 at her home. Wake: Saturday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 pm at the Cumby Funeral Home. Funeral services 2 pm Sunday, October 26, 2008 in the Chapel of Cumby Family Funeral Service of Archdale; Jeffery Farlow officiating. Interment will follow in Trinity Cemetery. Born April 6, 1916 in Davidson County, daughter of the late Isaiah Beck and Mary Jane Burkhart Beck. Preceded her in death in 1977 by her husband Dudley Farlow; two grandchildren, Kenny and Jason Wray and nine brothers and sisters and a son-in-law Jim Wray in 2004. Survived by two children, Becky Farlow Wray of High Point and D. Fred Farlow and wife Laura of the home, four grandchildren Jamie Gallant of High Point, Rickey Wray of Thomasville, Jeffery Farlow and wife Melissa of Archdale and Misty Farlow Brown and husband Daniel of the home. She is also survived by eight great grandchildren; Kacey Suits, Jorden Suits, Erick Wray, Wendy Underwood, Zoe Brown and Colby Brown of the home, Sarah Beth Farlow and Elijah Farlow of Archdale, and six great great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister Lois Beck Leonard of Lexington.-Cumby

Tuesday, October 7

LYNCHBURG,VA-Garland Willard Briles, 84, passed Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, at Avante in Lynchburg. Wake: 7 to 8:30 p.m. today, Oct. 7, 2008, at Finch and Finch Funeral and Cremation Service, Altavista, VA. Graveside service 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, in New Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery; Rev. Jim Brown officiating. Born Jan. 6, 1924, in Randolph County, N.C., a son of the late William Harrison Briles and Alberta Lassiter Briles. He was the husband of Shirley Bailey Briles for 58 years. Survived by a son, Ronald Carroll Briles of Hurt; a brother, William Harrison Briles Jr. of Avante in Lynchburg; a brother-in-law, Robert T. (Tom) Walker Sr.; a nephew, Robert T. Walker Jr. (Bobby) and his wife, Judy, all of Hurt; and a niece, Nancy Walker Dalton and her husband, Aaron, of Richmond. Preceded in death by a brother, Earnest Marshall Briles; a sister, Essie Briles Walker; and a niece, Judy Faye Waker.